The Gospel of Winter
By Kate Pavao,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Powerful book about victims of priest sexual abuse.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
Wealthy misfit Aiden's father has just left the family, and the lonely boy loves working with charming Father Greg, with whom he can talk about his problems. But when Father Greg takes an interest in a younger boy, Aiden feels pushed aside and has a breakdown; readers will understand that the priest has abused him. Aiden soon learns that he's not the only victim, but he keeps quiet and even pressures the other boys to do the same ("What happened between Father Greg and me? Nothing. If nobody knew about it, then it never happened. It didn't exist. It couldn't"). But when news stories begin to break about the priest sexual abuse scandals -- and the cover-up -- the secret becomes even harder for Aiden to hold on to.
Is It Any Good?
THE GOSPEL OF WINTER sensitively examines a painful subject without overwhelming readers in descriptive details. Through Aiden's well-told story, which unfolds over the course of an icy winter, the author convincingly conveys the complex feelings going on inside the protagonist and many other confused characters from his wealthy Catholic community. Readers may not always agree with Aiden's choices, but they'll understand his feelings of shame at what's happened to him and why he wants to pretend the abuse never happened; readers also will begin to understand why so many people might have been willing to participate in a cover-up, even people who loved the victims. This is a difficult story but an important one; not only can it help remove the stigma and secrecy that often surround sexual abuse, but it can help teens consider a more universal theme of, "Are you the kind of person who's there for people when they need you, or are you not?"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sexual abuse. Why do you think Aiden denies what happened to him -- and to the other boys?
Can you think of any other books or movies that deal with this tough topic? How might a novel like this be helpful?
The Gospel of Winter takes place in the early 2000s. What do you think eventually happens to Aiden, Mark, and the other characters?
Book Details
- Author: Brendan Kiely
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Friendship, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date: January 21, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 304
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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